Gasmate lantern problem
Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 12, 2013 at 23:37
ThreadID:
105102
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5038
Replies:
10
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henno
Hey guys n gals. I have a problem with my gas mate LPG lantern. It attaches to a pole that sits on top of a 4.5kg bottle.
What it does, no matter what mantle I use, is blows a red flame out the top. It was working fine then just got a bit rusty with old age. It seems to get close to the glowing white light but a tiny touch on the adjustment knob and the glowing gives up and I get flame. I've let it run flat out for 15 minutes or so but it just persists with the flame thing.
A bit of googling doesn't show me anybody with this problem, just blockages. The same gas bottle on my two burner cooker gives a nice hot blue flame so I don't think it's gas impurity.
Cheers for any answers in advance. Great site by the way.
Mark.
Reply By: Nomadic Navara - Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013 at 00:34
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013 at 00:34
I don't get the gist of this "is blows a red flame out the top." Out of the top of what, the top of the mantle or the piece the mantle attaches to? Is the piece the mantle attaches to corroded and you have a small rusted out gap between the mantle and the metal fitting?
AnswerID:
521340
Follow Up By: henno - Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013 at 10:26
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013 at 10:26
The gas just kinda leaks out of the mantle and burns in the air above it. There's no hole and the mantle is tied nice and tight and the metal it is tied to is free from rust.
FollowupID:
802042
Reply By: Member - Rosco from way back - Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013 at 09:01
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013 at 09:01
G'day Mark
Have you tried changing the jet. 9 times out of 10 that is the problem. Aus gas is apparently quite dirty and a minute particle partially blocking the jet may cause the issues you have encountered. Many years ago we had a Coleman low pressure stove and the factory sealed regulator included a very fine mesh filter which clogged up, the mesh is apparently the go in the US. We took it to a service centre where they opened it up and removed the gauze. Problem solved.
AnswerID:
521351
Follow Up By: henno - Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013 at 10:28
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013 at 10:28
The thread down the bottom where you pull it apart are pretty corroded. I'll give it a go though.
FollowupID:
802043
Follow Up By: Member - Rosco from way back - Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013 at 10:39
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013 at 10:39
In that event it may be time for a replacement.
FollowupID:
802045
Reply By: member - mazcan - Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013 at 12:10
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013 at 12:10
hi henno
the problem is in the rusty old pole section particles of gunk will keep coming through partly blocking the jet and/or blowing a small hole in the mantle which allows gas to burn raw and create the red flame
you can stuff around with it for days but the rust particles will keep coming out intermittently
been there done that
bite the bullet and replace the pole
you mentioned the bottle gives a nice blue flame on your 2 burner cooker that proves the problem is in the rusty old pole section
even if you run a pipe cleaner through the pole tube it wont stop the rust for ever
cheers
AnswerID:
521359
Reply By: brianc - Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013 at 15:49
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013 at 15:49
I had exactly the same issue with my primus gas light some years back. As you have done, tried different mantles, new jets, different bottles and still -- flame.
What I found eventually was some sort of insect / bug had made its nest thing inside the centre column of the light, that is - on the bit the mantle ties to. Take it off and look up inside where the gas from the jet actually squirts.
AnswerID:
521368
Reply By: Ross M - Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013 at 16:52
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013 at 16:52
I would be checking the air mixing as it goes in to join the gas flow.
It seems your jet isn't blocked but is exceeding the air/oxygen supply necessary to keep the flame burning cleanly and because the airflow is restricted the flame goes red, incomplete combustion, cos it can't get enough air to match.
Spider or insect is the mixer section or dusty crap.
Mine has done that and it wasn't related to gas flow.
AnswerID:
521373
Reply By: henno - Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013 at 18:35
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013 at 18:35
Ok guys I think I'm onto something. I tried it direct to the bottle and had the same issue so it's not the pole.
Got it apart, bloody carefully, and there is crap in the air intake holes, blew them out. Looked up the bent tube going to where mantle ties on and bingo, a mud wasp nest in there. I've got most of it out but will hit it up with an air compressor tomorrow.
AnswerID:
521377
Follow Up By: Ross M - Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013 at 18:39
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013 at 18:39
Zachary wot 'appens. The air gets restricted and shows up when you turn up the gas.
In future you will keep it in a sealed bag won't you?
FollowupID:
802059
Reply By: desray (WA - Thursday, Nov 14, 2013 at 07:32
Thursday, Nov 14, 2013 at 07:32
Bin it and buy a electric light ,lots easier. Lots of good LED lights around will run for weeks on a couple of batteries.
AnswerID:
521409
Follow Up By: henno - Thursday, Nov 14, 2013 at 15:55
Thursday, Nov 14, 2013 at 15:55
Every
forum has one.
I'm trying to save a few bucks after losing my job in the mining industry. I like the light my gas light gives off and I even like the sound it makes, it's a camping sound. We use LED lights for in the tent.
FollowupID:
802122
Reply By: henno - Thursday, Nov 14, 2013 at 11:21
Thursday, Nov 14, 2013 at 11:21
Besides blowing it out with air can I soak it in a solvent as
well? What about turps or metho?
AnswerID:
521421
Follow Up By: SDG - Thursday, Nov 14, 2013 at 12:43
Thursday, Nov 14, 2013 at 12:43
A camping stored demonstrated to me once that jets can best be cleaned with the use of those gas cans used to fill up lighters. Can work on all small
places I guess.
FollowupID:
802106
Reply By: henno - Thursday, Nov 14, 2013 at 15:58
Thursday, Nov 14, 2013 at 15:58
All up and going thanks guys. How in the hell a mud wasp got in between the jet and the mesh grill the mantle ties onto beats me. Blew it all out and we have light and that very comforting hissing sound!
AnswerID:
521446
Follow Up By: Ross M - Thursday, Nov 14, 2013 at 16:02
Thursday, Nov 14, 2013 at 16:02
Comforting hissing sound like a Tiger Snake?
FollowupID:
802123
Reply By: Andy D2 - Friday, Nov 15, 2013 at 12:20
Friday, Nov 15, 2013 at 12:20
Rust on the internal section of the pipe that leads to the gas lantern will only block the injector up, and even the slightest amount would do this as the injector is so small, sounds like the brass injector has been increased in size by cleaning or having a reamer inserted into the small hole to clean out the gunk that comes from the gas. This would increase the flow of gas therefore giving a carbonising or yellow flame effect, replace the nipple with a new component form a reputable supplier, of the top of my
scone I think the product number is an E Nipple, should come in a carded bag of 2 and be around $5....hope this helps
AnswerID:
521496